Mike's Oud Forums

old alamphon label Oud artist

DMB - 4-5-2009 at 07:47 PM

Hello everyone,
I am new to this Site. I am writing to find out if any of you Oud aficionados have ever run across or heard of a Lebanese Oud artist from post WWI up until the late 1960's named George Berbari. George had his own band out of the Detroit area and cut four 78 speed records under the Alamphon label (Alamphon is from the Brooklyn NY area) He did travel all over the US and played in most major cities. He had a son named Clovis Berbari who also played the Oud and had a band and was well known in the Detroit area. If anyone can help me out with where I can search to try and find any recordings it would sure be appreciated.
Thanks,
DMB

marmarzamani - 4-6-2009 at 09:50 AM

When I was about 11, my father used to take me to Brooklyn to buy 78 RPM records under the Alamphon label.
We literally had stacks of them of these weighty disks but I don't recall whether a recording of George Berbari was one of them. There were recordings of erstwhile performers such as Hanan, Asmahan, Elia Baida, Karawan, el-Bakkar and others...how I wish my parents retained those classic gems.

I have some folks in my parish who may still have Alamphon records, vestiges of inheritance, stored in some recondite corner of their basement. Since your post re-ignited my interest in these treasures, I'll ask about the artist you mention and send you a u2u if I find anything.

Bill

DMB - 4-6-2009 at 06:20 PM

Thanks so much Bill. Your effort is greatly appreciated. I hope to get his music put on line eventually.
Dave

GEORGE BERBARI

htabchoury - 11-15-2012 at 06:34 AM

Quote: Originally posted by DMB  
Hello everyone,
I am new to this Site. I am writing to find out if any of you Oud aficionados have ever run across or heard of a Lebanese Oud artist from post WWI up until the late 1960's named George Berbari. George had his own band out of the Detroit area and cut four 78 speed records under the Alamphon label (Alamphon is from the Brooklyn NY area) He did travel all over the US and played in most major cities. He had a son named Clovis Berbari who also played the Oud and had a band and was well known in the Detroit area. If anyone can help me out with where I can search to try and find any recordings it would sure be appreciated.
Thanks,
DMB



Dear friend DMB,

I do not know if you still frequent this site because your post is the day April 5, 2009, recently I bought a batch of 78 rpm discs, Arabic, and had a record of George Berbari, among them. As soon as I scan this disc, I'll make available it on, in this site, for you, I torso to be what you are looking for.

A big hug, that God protects you.

Henrique Tabchoury - Brazil.

Greg - 11-15-2012 at 06:41 AM

Thanks Henrique.

I have emailed the original enquirer and advised him of your kindness. Hopefully he will still have the same email address.

Regards,

Greg
PS Welcome to the forums.

DMB - 7-3-2018 at 12:10 PM

Well better late than never. Thanks to my wife who found your post Henrique, I’ve finally returned! I’m not sure if you posted the scanned disc or not here on this site or how to find it, but this is incredible news! Thanks so much for trying to email me Greg, more than likely it went to my junk mail I guess.